An inevitable part of sewing is opening seams. Either because something went together wrong, or you just want to do an alteration. It can feel like such a waste of time, but let me show you three quick ways to rip, or open, a seam to get you back to sewing sooner!
I stopped using a seam ripper over ten years ago. Instead I use these Wiss Quik Snips because I work faster with them (and they’re more dangerous – I have to get my kicks somewhere!). But you can use a seam ripper on any of these techniques instead of snips 🙂
1. The method I use the most often is to simply snip the thread every 5 or 6 stitches, and then pull at the un-snipped thread. The seam should just fall apart.
2. Another way is to snip one of the threads 10 or 12” apart and pull it as if you were doing a gathering or easing stitch, but you pull the thread all the way out.
This is also a good way to get out a serged seam. You just pull the straight thread that came from the needle, not the looped threads.
3. And the third way is to use snips or a razor blade to cut through the threads as you put tension on both sides and pull the seam apart with your other hand. Just be careful not to cut the fabric (or yourself). And with the razor blade you don’t need to slice the thread. Just push the blade into the threads and they will split under the tension.
***Bonus: There is an even faster method, but it only works on heavy woven fabrics (like canvas, denim, or twill) and muslin. You can literally rip the seams open. Take out the back-tacking and stitching for 2 or 3 inches so you have something to grab onto. Then pull swiftly on both sides to pop the stitches apart. Don’t try this on light weight fabric because you might tear the fabric instead of the stitching.
Have I missed any methods? Have you developed your own way to take out stitching quickly? Share in the comments!
